China blocks YouTube

Tibet protests prompt ban

Common Topics

The Chinese government blocked access to YouTube on Sunday after videos of the protests in Tibet were posted on the video sharing site.

The whole website was blocked, not just specific videos as happened recently in Pakistan.

The site today, from London, has almost as many videos opposing the Tibetan demonstrators as it does opposing the Chinese government. One titled "Tibet WAS, IS and ALWAYS WILL BE a part of CHINA" is among the most viewed today.

Chinese bloggers have also reacted with anger to how Western media portrays their government and the problems in Tibet.

China is the largest online nation - it is believed to have exceeded the US online population of 216 million at the end of last month, despite having only 16.9 per cent internet penetration, compared to an world average of 19.1 per cent and US penetration of 69.7 per cent. ®